So, I am not sure if it is an age thing or what, but my 14 year old, rising 9th grader has some real EF challenges that seem to be getting worse. I know it is something we need to address as we begin the new school year, but we also need to move forward academically. I am wondering how we can balance (or can we?) working on acquiring and maintaining some EF areas of need while learning new material. We have been working on some of these areas throughout 8th grade, but like I said, it seems like things have gotten a bit worse over the summer. Here is our line up for 9th grade: Geometry (online) (1 credit) Spanish 1 (online) (1 credit) Biology w/ lab using M/L (1 credit) (Probably)Big History Project or Human Odyssey World History (1 credit) English (variety of lit study w/ a Bravewriter class each semester, we will also continue working on spelling because that is an area of challenge) (1 credit) Health (we have been doing this over the summer and will finish by the end of September) (.5 credit) PE we will just work on accruing the hours over the year w/ classes at the gym (.5 credit) This child has some interest in a drawing class and a creative writing class for a half credit each. We were looking at working through Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain for the drawing credit and the WTMA's Creative Writing class in the spring. I really do not want to overload my student. Having completed Health early in the year and doing PE as a rolling class through the year means we have space in our schedule for those electives, BUT given the EF challenges I am wondering if we are better off really focusing on those and doing our other 5 core subjects well. This child has a few extracurriculars (a weekly theatre thing and possibly an extension of the summer volunteering experience at a local nature center). Is that enough for 9th grade?

I have no idea what your circumstances are, but it sounds like you have two young little ones at home you are teaching (I am going by your sig). Rather than spending a lot of money on curriculum you are unsure of, I would spend time reading up on creating the environment and philosophy you desire, because it sounds to me that is what you are drawn to about OM. I would be inclined to build your year around quality literature and activities tied to your lit choices. Make up some little blank books (or get some packs at a Target Dollar Spot) and let your kids dictate stories to you. Write a newsletter with them, play math games, get audio books for when you don't can't/don't want to read aloud, cook, visit the library, get outside a lot and work hard to create a predictable rhythm and routine-that'a what OM is going to tell you or a least a big component. :001_smile:

We *LOVE* Beverly Cleary. Every one of my children has adored them to varying degrees. We have read through them multiple times over the years. We just did most of the Ramonas and Henrys last fall because my littlest was really into them. They have also listened to all of the CDs. I think Beverly Cleary is brilliant. She captured the struggles and joys of childhood in a beautiful, timeless manner. When my 9 year old was working on the monkey bars and getting calluses, we talked about Ramona's calluses. We randomly sing, "I'm going to have a parrrtee" because it makes us laugh, and it is so Ramona. My kids played their own version of "brick factory" (but called something else) in years past. Timeless, I tell you.

Actually, Hound is already gone when the final installment begins. You don't have to suffer through poor Hound passing. I was balling in parts of the final Penderwicks. I think it was my favorite of the series.

There is a Yahoo Group for used Waldorf curriculum that I would join and see if you can pick those up used. You can post what you are looking for. OM comes up fairly regularly. You can probably get what you need for close to half OM's prices, perhaps that may make you feel better about spending the money on something you are not sure you are going to love. Also, as I am sure you know, OM is quite the opposite of the other curriculum you listed. What draws you to OM? Wee Folk Art offers free curriculum plans for ages 4-6, so your kindergartener. They are literature based, gentle and Waldorf inspired. They offer weekly crafts, science, some phonics if you are interested in including that. I think they may have retooled the guides a bit and now charge a nominal fee, but I believe you can still get the original versions for free. It would probably be very easy to combine your K and 1 using those. Edited to clarify.

Damage done there. Thanks for the reminder; I had a couple of things I wanted to get for the upcoming year, and it's always nice to get a little price break. :hurray:

We are using the Miller-Levine Macaw book. It seems pretty solid to me. You can buy the book for an iPa for $15 for the iTunes store. I think we will get a hard copy of the text, but I vastly prefer the on-line version. It has clean pages with lots of white space. (I can compare because I have the TM, so I see what the student pages look like) I have no idea what your budget looks like, but I am throwing out that option because you can look through the book for a pretty reasonable price. I am pretty sure Kolbe offers a syllabus for the Macaw book, but I have not seen them. There a lot of free resources for the older Miller-Levine Dragonfly book readily available. I looked around online to see what texts were being used among the various online providers. It seems Holt was another textbook I saw used with some regularity (I am pretty certain both WTA and Blue Tent are using it). Your planning still may come in handy. You may be able to include some it to help flesh out whatever resource you choose.

Maybe. He's been gone, but we will check in tomorrow on this topic. I have to say I have the first 10 weeks of bio planned; it may be hard to switch gears now.

FWIW, when I read that suggested it sounded like a very interesting, deep course. I know many European countries teach science as an integrated class, and it makes a great deal of sense. I definitely do not have the science knowledge or expertise to pull off a class like that, but I absolutely do not doubt it can be done very well. I appreciate you offering your perspective!

Thanks for all off this, especially the bolded.

Good to know, although I wouldn't be able to pull off an integrated science class anyway! This will be the last year of science from me. :) It seems environmental ed or earth science is the standard 9th grade science in my neck of the woods (in the public HS). Even the STEM HS only offers their 9th graders earth science honors class and/or a physical science class. Everyone here is on a block schedule, so I am guessing kids could take both in a single year, but I am not 100% certain.

Actually, our CC is by grade level. About a year ago they transitioned away from their policy of students needing to be 16 years old. Their policy now states students are to be a junior. I know of several parents that have wigged their child's transcript to make them juniors so they could start taking classes, including one newly turned fourteen year old.

Anything and everything. Seriously, s/he is a voracious reader. Graphic novels, John Greene, The Dorrito Effect is currently on the night stand (actually in the bed), Hunger Games, comics. We're getting into some interesting philosophical conversations, but also just 14 year old chat about self and Minecraft strategies.

Lots of great food for thought. Thank you all! I am sorry I have not mastered the multiquote function, so my responses are rather clunky. Apologies.

This is a very helpful way of thinking through this. Thank you.

Hmm, good questions! Lots of reading, just getting interested in some outdoor pursuits, theatre, rc vehicles and talking, lots of talking. :001_smile: ETA: Minecraft and taking things apart.

I had an "aha" moment in reading this. You very clearly articulated something I think is so true, but have never put into words. Thank you. It has always been my intention to follow the 4x5 plan. Your second paragraph is very helpful in realistically framing the importance of each path.

Thanks all! I am running out the door and will be back to answer questions etc. later. I just want to clarify; we will definitely be doing science next year and for all 4 years of HS. I am trying to figure out merits of bio vs. something else, especially when you have a kid that hasn't shown a strong science inclination thus far. So appreciate the feedback and thoughts! You all are great.

I am specifically thinking of our science sequence for the upcoming four years. If I knew my child were pursuing a STEM field, it would be a no brainer and we would go ahead with biology. But, my child has absolutely no idea what field he/she wants to pursue. "I am fourteen. How am supposed to know what I want to do? I am still a kid," is what I get when I ask. Lol I really don't want to make choices because of some external pressure to fulfill requirements that may not pertain to us. My child is not inclined to choose an academically challenging path. On one hand, bio is the obvious choice to leave the door open to a STEM major or higher science options (thinking AP options). The other side of me says, my child is not showing a strong inclination in that direction, so use this 9th grade year to pursue some science interests (kind of what another poster said on the 9th grade science thread about physical science vs. bio). This child has had some physical science last year and chemistry the year before, so it's not like there hasn't been exposure. This is kind of driving me crazy. My child really does not have a strong preference toward either path. I think whatever I present will probably be fine. So, what have those of you with a similar type of child done? Any regrets or wisdom pt pass along would be gladly welcomed.

Please share! I am very intimidated by the record keeping in HS. Hugs on anxiety. Be gentle with yourself.

I think it is healthy to reevaluate and look at previously held beliefs, especially in light of new information or at natural crossroads (which I think homeschooling HS is). I have felt sort of paralyzed by this, "Am I good enough?" question at times, and I think it is easy to become stuck there. For me, being stuck there stinks! That's why I think it is important to keep in mind that there are no real guarantees with any choice we make. Explore, ponder, grapple and then move forward, knowing that there are always other options, no path is set in stone. (And I am not saying you are at the move forward stage at all. I think I spent most of 8th grade in the grapple stage! I am more reminding myself to move forward, onward and upward. :tongue_smilie: )

I will sit next to you on this bench. We are embarking on 9th grade. My child had only one b&m HS option that was of interest. Our family is not the intended demographic for the program and were not offered a slot. There were appealing things about the program, but definite down sides. I wanted it for my child because he/she had a desire for it, and I think that goes a long way. We talked about other options, but my child really has no interest in the traditional high school experience and opted to forge ahead with homeschooling. I have some reservations, namely because I have a large family and feel spread pretty thin, but I know we will grow into it just as we have with every stage. I think it is totally normal to feel apprehensive about the unknown! Right now, homeschooling high school is an unknown. I mean sure, we can think through the logistics and make plans, but until we are on the end of it or even in the middle, it is kind of heard to see how it is all going to come together. It seems like you and your DH need to have a clarification conversation. This isn't the first time you have expressed your DH's high expectations and desire for a "good" college, but he also seems to have some reservations about a number of other aspects of b&m school. I don't think either option offers guarantees. This has been a real shift in thinking for me. We are certainly planning on our children going to college, but I am increasingly aware that my plans may not match my child's plans. My job is to get my kids to the path, but they have to walk it. I think that's some wisdom from a poster here at WTM, but it really resonates with me, especially as we get closer to high school. I guess I am trying to say, there seems to be a great deal of expectations on you, and I am not really sure if I could make an sound decision with that over me. I think whatever path you choose, it would be good to have a heart to heart with your DH. Ok, that was really rambly and filled with distraction, so I am not sure there is anything useful in there! Just letting you know you are not alone. :)

I think a lot depends on the areas you are needing inspiration or hoping to expand your knowledge in. Kate's "Conceptual Math" was a great break down of what conceptual math is and some how to examples. (and free!) SWB's "This Isn't As Easy As I Thought" was so authentic, real and honest. She hit on some areas I really think homeschool parents need to dialogue about and be aware of. Both of Julie Bogart's series were amazing. I have never really been into the whole Bravewriter concept, but wow, Julie is passionate about creating a homeschool lifestyle and model that is real and attainable. I came away with some real gems to carry me into the next year from her presentations. "Homeschooling the Ramona Quimby" (I can see your board photo in my head, but can't remember your name) was filled with practical advice and a nice place to exhale about your more child. (free!) I thought this talk tied in very nicely to SWB's last talk in the above named series. I only caught part of Richard Ryczek's talk, but plan on finishing it. The part I caught was great. I am looking forward to the rest. Elizabeth's talk on phonics is also one I need to finish listening to. Filled with practical, usable info to teach phonics=great. I think those are all of the ones I have heard. I may have a few more waiting for me to get to them, and I will! Some of them were perfect for listening to and digesting while I walked and some really benefitted from seeing the slides and taking notes. I would love to hear other sessions people found inspiring!

Yes! A huge thank you to all of the presenters, SWB and the WTM staff. Every session I attended was amazing. I am a firm believer in teacher training and refining my craft. This series allowed me to really hone in on areas I wanted to focus on this summer, at my leisure. I have been able to fan the flames of continued education throughout the summer, rather than getting a weekend jolt that dissipates as the realities of life creep back in. I love how there was wide range of offerings both free and for the bargain price of $20/series. Seriously, of all my educational purchases this year, the WTM Conference was probably the best. Kate, your talk on conceptual math was great. :001_smile:

I think you have already been given some fantastic questions and points to consider, so I will just throw in my personal experience. My oldest gave a local charter school a go last year. We had a 1 hour round trip twice a day. We were able to do some carpooling, but that was somewhat inconsistent due to changes in personal schedules etc. It was very hard on all of us. I honestly think that particular set up: driving a child/children to school and homeschooling others is one of the most difficult set ups and seriously ups the burnout factor. Can it be done? Absolutely, but I think it is challenging for everyone. If all of my children were going to said school or even half, the drive may be worth it, but it was definitely took its toll after a few weeks at our house. I think your children are spaced a little closer than mine and are obviously younger, but doing that drive was very hard on my then 5 year old. Some of that could be personality, but DH and I kept coming back to, "Is this how we want our five year to spend his/her year?" I would look very closely at the school hours. Around here elementary school is 6.5 hours, so with travel time you are only looking at about 4 hours of at home time. That is not really a lot of time to settle in and exhale with your littles. Do you do after school activities? That may be a lot of going for your littlest. If you are feeling burned out, stretched too thin or just that you need a off year from homeschooling, then I would not hesitate to look at other school options. Personally, I would look at local schools that would allow your child to get his needs met, but still preserve and respect your other children's needs. I think good enough would trump the awesome, but 90 minutes of driving option. What options are there for your younger children that may give you the opportunity to have some quiet, focused time with your olders? One final thought. As my children got older, I had the realization that our school day was evolving. Gone were the days of just meandering through our work, skipping it if a fun opportunity came along or otherwise just being very loosey goosey about school. At a certain point I realized this was my full time job. I have a large family, so being finished at lunch was not going to be realistic. It was a big adjustment for me and my attitude, but necessary because this is the path our family had chosen. It is an intense path, and it is totally ok if you decide homeschooling is not a good fit for your family. That may change in the future or not, and that is totally ok!